Post by JoannaL on Sept 27, 2019 5:40:17 GMT -5
Will the Coming Winter Be Harsh or Mild?
We’ve all heard those bits of weather folklore that some people love to share. They’re sure it means the worst winter we’ve seen in years is on the way. Whether it’s how high squirrels are building their nests in the trees, or the width of a woolly worm caterpillar’s middle stripe, everyone has an opinion about the coming season. But have you heard this one: If you see pigs gathering sticks, you’re in for a very harsh winter.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac released a list of signs of nature that predict an unforgiving winter. First published in 1978, the list was created by Dick Goddard, a weather guru from Cleveland. According to the almanac, the list is still relevant today. According to folklore, the following are signs of a hard winter:
1. Thicker-than-normal corn husks.
2. Woodpeckers sharing a tree.
3. The early arrival of the snowy owl.
4. The early departure of geese and ducks.
5. The early migration of the monarch butterfly.
6. Thick hair on the nape of a cow’s neck.
7. Heavy and numerous fogs during the month of August.
8. Raccoons with thick tails and bright bands.
9. Mice chewing furiously to get inside.
10. The early arrival of crickets on the hearth.
11. Spiders spinning larger-than-usual webs and entering the house in greater numbers.
12. Pigs gathering sticks.
13. Ants marching in a line rather than meandering.
14. Early seclusion of bees within the hive.
15. Unusual abundance of acorns.
16. Muskrats burrowing holes high on the riverbank.
17. “See how high the hornet’s nest, ‘twill tell how high the snow will rest.”
18. Squirrels gathering nuts early to fortify against a hard winter.
19. Frequent halos or rings around the sun or moon forecast numerous snowfalls.
20. And finally, a true reader favorite: the size of the orange band on the woolly bear (or woolly worm) caterpillar.
According to folklore, if the caterpillar’s orange band is narrow, the winter will be snowy; conversely, a wide orange band means a mild winter. All black caterpillars aren’t woolly bears. And fuzzier-than-normal woolly bear caterpillars are said to indicate the winter will be very cold.
Are any of these true? You decide. And you might want to stock up on a little extra firewood for the wood stove – just in case.
Sources: Joe Bissell, MichiganLive, September 24, 2019, and The Old Farmer's Almanac.